I want to begin this post with an in-progress photo of Flower Diamonds, as it slowly moves along.  About a month has gone by where I only get to stitch 2 or 3 evenings a week for a couple of hours.  The "fun" parts are still left to be stitched:  five more flowers in the center diamonds and the medallions on either side of the center diamonds.  Soon.

I was teaching a class this past Saturday at Old World Designs in Menlo Park and Linda, the owner, and I got to talking about how to interest younger/new stitchers to the wonderful world of needlepoint.  I told her my daughter McCall and I have been working together on new designs, new colors, and new approaches towards that end.  As McCall is 29 years old, her ideas different in many ways from what my approach would be.  But that's good.....we want to attract stitchers her age.  Her two latest needlework book purchases have been Doodle Stitching  and The New Crewel.  Both of these books have That got me to thinking that maybe, just maybe, I too need to be thinking along new lines.  They both present the basic materials and give basic instructions....not too many rules.....and then, just jump right in.  The New Crewel  particularly keeps both design and finishing clean and simple.....few frills....contemporary.  

Our ideas, so far, include the following: 

• begin with 13-count canvas or 18-count linen,
• use threads that do not generally have to be stranded, are of the best quality, but are still a reasonable cost,
• are able to be finished into wearable or household items (18-count linen is great for this)
• or can be inserted into purchased boxes, totes, or appliquéd onto pillows, etc. 
• the kits should include everything the beginning stitcher needs to get started.
• include an item of embellishment such as a large decorative button, or bead as a focal point. 
• keep the kit to a reasonable cost  (under $50) before the finishing. 

We are both working on separate designs and hope to have them ready to show off by this fall.  I would love to hear from readers about what you think a "next generation stitcher" might be looking for.....something that might them veer towards needlepoint, instead of, say, knitting or quilting. 

On another note, I have been busy this week finishing up lots of miscellaneous things.  I've just added several items to the website.  A brand new STITCHING ACCESSORIES Section has just been added with items I love to use myself:  Tacky BOBs, Thread Straighteners, and Twitchetts.  Also, for stitchers interested in SEASONS I have added some partial thread kits for the Vikki Clayton hand-dyed fibers #8 Perle threads.  These are only available by special order in large dye skeins.  Of course, the piece is still stitchable by substituting her flosses for the perles.  But I have a few kits left, so when there gone, there gone. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day!!!